Harry sat back against his pillow. Ever
since Voldemort had returned he had many sleepless nights. His dreams were
coming more often. Each one terrifying. However, tonight, he found it to be
rather confusing. He was dreaming that he had just won the Quidditch Cup and the
next thing he new he was watching Lucius Malfoy sit in front of a roaring
fireplace. He sat there a very long time. Harry couldn't make out what he was
doing, other than he seemed to be lost in thought. When Mr. Malfoy finally spoke
his words were even more puzzling.
You must choose wisely Draco. I would hate to have to kill you.
Harry could not fathom what he possibly meant. Other than it must be tied into
the Death Eaters. Mr. Malfoy had been a servant of Lord Voldemort for many
years. It was only natural that Draco, as vile and repulsive as they come, would
follow in his footsteps. Which made what Mr. Malfoy said even more bizarre. If
this is what he was referring to, why would Draco not chose to follow the Dark
Lord? He had gotten the impression from that day on the train, that Draco had
actually been gloating about the return of Voldemort and the chaos he would
bring.
He picked up his round glasses from the small table beside his bed and put them
on. His room seemed quite empty. All of his clothes and his supplies for the
coming semester had been sent to the Weasley's a few nights ago. He would have
been there himself if Mr. and Mrs. Weasley hadn't been called away for important
business leaving him to stay with the Dursleys a few extra days. However, unlike
summer's past, his time at Number Four Privet Drive had actually been quite
enjoyable. Harry suspected that Dumbledore had written to them after the events
of the TriWizard Tournament and had probably threatened to hex them good if they
did not treat him well.
As he had done several nights, he was going to meet Ron and Hermione at Diagon
Alley. Mr. Weasley had connected the fireplace in the Dursleys living room to
the Floo Network, so Harry could meet with Ron and Hermione often. Hermione had
spent a majority of the summer visiting Vicktor Krum in Bulgaria. She wrote to
Harry often telling him how fascinating it was and how much they focused on the
Dark Arts. She had planned to stay right up until the day that they were to
leave for Hogwarts but came back suddenly upon learning that they eat House
Elves in Bulgaria. Hermione found that to be barbaric. Something Vicktor did not
agree with, resulting in the two of them breaking up before they even got a
chance at a relationship. An event Harry knew that Ron immensely enjoyed.
All that Harry heard about while Hermione was away from Ron were complaints
about Vicktor. How he looked funny. That he was totally wrong for Hermione. That
he was secretly working for Voldemort. All of which were Ron's ways of trying to
say that he was jealous of Vicktor. Despite his protests to the contrary. He
found it funny how much Ron liked Hermione and how much she like him back.
However both of his friends were too proud and stubborn to admit it. He hoped
that they would get over that and date already. The last thing he wanted was
another year of their barbs.
Without making a sound Harry dressed and made his way down to the Dursleys
fireplace. He reached into the large golden vase that Aunt Petunia had set upon
the mantelpiece to hold the abundance of Floo Powder Mr. Weasley had given to
him before they had left. Mrs. Weasley had explained to him, in the polite way
she always did, that Dumbledore felt it was better off that Harry stay at his
relatives. They felt it wouldn't be safe for him to stay at the Burrow with no
adult supervision. Ron said that Bill and Charlie weren't able to make it home
and although his mum and dad thought Percy was capable of running the home, he
would be little help if Death Eaters attacked. (Just don't tell him that!)
Percy Weasley, having been promoted to Junior Minister of the Department of
Magical Catastrophes, had developed a rather swelled head. Ron said that he
bounced about the Burrow explaining the genius ways in which he would catch the
Death Eaters. It mostly involved sneaking up behind them and use a Stunning
Charm. He touted that sometimes the simplest solution is the most affective
solution.
That was a brilliant plan, Ron told him, if you are aiming to get yourself blown
to bits. Percy did nothing but scowl and he had not talked about his plans to
take on the Death Eaters since.
As Harry stepped carefully into the fireplace, he wondered what he would do if
Percy or any of his friends had to face the Death Eaters. How would they fare?
He had reminded himself time and again, that the people he loved were very
capable and surrounded by those who would protect them if the time came where
they were in the need of protection. However he could not shake the thoughts
that kept creeping into his mind. Will I lose anyone else I love? The
thought made Harry shiver as he raised his arm and let the ash fall.
"Diagon Alley," he spoke clearly as he was swallowed by green flame.
